tobet



(No Model.)

0. W. TOBEY.

ELECTRIC CORD TIP.

Patented Aug. 2, 1892.

ns cm, wom-umc, wAsMmnTuN u c I mar NITED STATES ATENT OFFICE,

CHARLES \V. TOBEY, OF NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO BURT & TOBEY, OF SAME PLACE.

ELECTRIC-CORD TIP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 480,152, dated August 2, 1892.

Application filed November 24, 1891. Serial No. 412,941. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES W. ToBEY, of New Bedford, in the county of Bristol, and in the State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrio-Cord Tips; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 shows in perspective aview of my improved electric-cord tip as used to hold the ends of several different kinds of conductors; Fig. 2, a section on line x as of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3, a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of one of the tips before use.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the figures The object of my invention has been to provide an improved tip by which electric cords and conductors can be fastened and connected metallically with any desired platepiece or binding-post; and to this end my in vention consists in the tip constructed and arranged for use as hereinafter specified.

The special purpose of my invention has been to provide means for clasping the ends of electric cords made up of several Wires so that such wires cannot become unraveled or separated so as to be liable to cause any short-circuiting by coming in contact with any neighboring piece of metal or other conductor of electricity, which means shall be especially well adapted for ready and convenient use to connect the electric cord metallically with a block or binding-post of conducting material. NVith this specialpurpose in view I have devised the article, which, as shown in the drawings, (see Fig. 3,) consists, essentially, of a plate or strip A, bentinto U shape and having the ends of its legs forked. The material of the stripis preferably copper or some other good conductor. The arms a a of the forks or the legs ofthe U-shaped piece are a sufficient distance apart to embrace the shank of the binding-screw to be used to attach the tip to the desired plate, block, or binding-post.

Before use the sides of the tip are far enough apart to admit readily the electric cord or conductor to which the tip is to be applied. Whennsed,thetiphavingbeenplaced over the cord or conductor end is clamped down upon the same by a pair of pinchers or other suitable tool, so as to clasp it firmly, the outer ends of the legs or sides of the tip being forced closed together. Such ends are then inserted under the head of the bindingscrew with their forks embracing the screwshank. When the screw is then tightened up, the forked portions of the tip will be clamped firmly together and against the plate or block B or the binding-post, so that there will be a good metallic connection with the latter. Within the bend of the tip the inclosed wire or wires of the conductor will be clamped and tightly held, so that there will be good metallic contact between the conductor and tip-surfaces.

While I have described my article as an electric-cord tip, I desire it to be understood that it is of use with electric conductors elsewhere than on their ends. Obviously it can be placed upon and caused to clamp and connect with a binding-post or conducting-plate or block any part of the body of an electric cord or conductor. It is easily made of sheet brass, copper, or other metal, and for its application for use requires no special form of tool orimplement. l/Vith the ends of its arms or legs forked, as shown and described, its insertion under or removal from below the head of the binding-screw or other fastener when the latteris loosened is very easy, while with the said screw or fastener tightened up a most secure fastening of the conductor to the desired piece or part is secured.

IVhile convenient and desirable for use elsewhere, wherever electric conductors are to be connected with conducting-pieces or binding-posts, it is particularly convenient in lampsockets and cut-ou ts, where, because of lack of space for working, it is difficult to make and secure good connections in the ordinary way and where any unraveling or spreading of the wires of the electric cord when such is used would be likely to cause short-circuiting.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- As an article of manufacture, the device for use in connection with electric conductors, have hereunto set my hand this 13th day of consisting of at strip bent into U form and November, 1891. having both of its le s forked or provided "H r1 r with open-ended slots to admit the shank of CHARLES lOBEi 5 the fastening-screw, substantially as and for Witnesses:

the purpose specified. WM. F. CASWELL,

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I EMMA D. OASWELL. 

